Vehicle manufacture Nissan and the Japan Automatic Transmission Company (JATCO) have secured a £50 million investment deal in partnership with the UK Government to create a new manufacturing plant in Sunderland.
The new site will help create 183 jobs in the region and support over 400 in the wider supply chain, the firms said.
The plant, JATCO’s first in Europe, will produce 3-in-1 electric vehicle (EV) powertrains for Nissan’s Sunderland plant.
From 2026, JATCO aim to produce 340,000 electric powertrains per year to supply new generations of Nissan EVs.
The investment has been enabled by the ATF, which is accessed through the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC), and aims to unlock private investment in UK automotive design, development, and manufacturing as the sector transitions to zero emission technology.
Sunderland has an expanding manufacturing presence, with sites from Nissan and key battery manufacturer AESC.
Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:
“The government is working hand in hand with investors to build a globally competitive electric vehicle supply chain in the UK and our modern Industrial Strategy will build on this legacy, bringing growth, jobs and opportunities to every part of the UK.”
Tomoyoshi Sato, CEO of JATCO, said:
“I am so proud to officially open JATCO UK in the North East of England. And I am very grateful for the support of the UK Government, Sunderland City Council, and all others involved in the establishment of JATCO UK, and look forward to supporting Nissan’s EV36Zero project with our electric powertrains.”
Alan Johnson, Senior Vice President, Manufacturing, Supply Chain and Purchasing for Nissan AMIEO, said:
“Welcoming a key supplier to the North East of England provides a big boost to the efficiency of our supply chain. We look forward to continuing our long and successful partnership as we push towards our electric future.”
Julian Hetherington, Automotive Transformation Director at the APC said:
“I am delighted that the Automotive Transformation Fund has been able to contribute to and unlock significant private investment from JATCO who bring high quality and advanced technology to an already successful automotive region. Our support is a reinforcement of the UK’s continued commitment to the extended localised supply chain for low-carbon industries.”
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said:
“JATCO choosing the North East as the place to do business and locate in our Investment Zone shows the confidence global industry has in our region, and the leading role we are playing in creating jobs and opportunity for local people and UK plc.”
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